Atomizer



April 16, 1946. F. oL. KILLORIN ETAL 2,398,533 l AToMIzER Filed March27, 1941 FRANC/s 02./f/LL oR//v poly/:LD L. SPE/DEA BY n LSE.

A rroR/VE Z Patented Apr. 16, 1946 ATOMIZER Francis OL. Killorin,Watertown, and Donald L.

Spender, Waterbury, Conn., assignors to Sco- Manufacturing Company,Waterbur Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application March 2.7,1941, Serial No. 385,412

13 Claims.

This invention relates to atomizing heads adapted to be applied tocontainers and particularly to devices of this character which areformed of a limited number of parts that are simple in construction andeconomical to produce and assemble.

The present invention is in certain respects a modification of and animprovement upon the construction shown and described in the cependingapplication'of Donald L. Spender, Serial No. 384,311 led March 20,`V1941. In the latter device a compressible device, such as a rubberbulb,

is substantially closed by a disc which has an` opening therein throughwhich air passes when the bulb is compressed or expanded. A valve memberlocated beneath the disc and adjacent theY opening therein is actuatedby air passing through the opening to control the flow of liquid fromthe container and to a mixing chamber.

q In accordance with the present invention the functions of the valvemember and disc of the Spender device are performed by an imperforateflexible diaphragm and resilient means, such as a metal strip, whichbears against the diaphragm and causes l.the diaphragm itself'to operateas a valve member. The construction of the elements is thus simplifiedvand the valve member is actuated in a manner which prevents accidentalleakage or evaporation of liquid during shipping or storage of thecontainer and when the device is not in use. I

Another feature of the present .invention resides in the provision ofnovel means for forming channels through which air and liquid are`passed to a mixing chamber and discharge port or atomizing aperture inan atomizing head.

Theprincipal objects of the present invention are to provide anAatomizing headfor containers which is simplein construction vandeconomical to produce, and one which embodies valve means which areyieldably urged into position to prevent the evaporation or `accidentalleakage of liquid fromthe container when the device is not in use.

These and other objects and features of the trated in Fig. 1 with theparts arranged in their positions for assembly, and I Fig. 4 is avertical sectional view of the construction illustrated in Fig; 1, takenon the line 4-4 thereof. I.

In thatform of the invention chosen as illus'- trative .thereof andshown in the drawing, a retaining member 2 is formed with a lowerportion 4 for engagement with the neck of a container S. The upperportion 8 of Vthe retaining member preferably is larger in diameterthan` the portion 4 and is designed to receive the atomizin'g'elementsof the device. A discharge opening I Il is formed in the wall of theupper portion 8 and may be sealed by a clip I2, such as that shown anddescribed in the copending application of Le Roy P. Root, Serial No.360,789, filed October 11,v 1940. l I

y The portions 4 and 8 of the retaining member 2 are connected by a,shoulder I4 upon which rests `a washer I6 formed of cork or othermaterial. This washer serves to seal the space between the neck of thecontainer and a Valve cup I8 which rests kupon the upper surface ofthewasher. The central portion of the cup I8 is formed withan opening 20from which a neck 22 extends downward to receive a rubber connectingmember 24. A tube 26 formed of glass or other suitable material extendsinto the connecting member 24 and communicates with the I opening 20Vfor conducting liquid from the container to the cup I8. I q y I Theupwardly extending wall 28 of the-cup I8 is formed with an atomizingaperture or discharge port 30 which is located adjacent thedischarge'opening I 0 in the wall of the upper portion 8 of theretaining member 2. The aperture 30 in the cup is accurately positionedwith respect to the discharge opening I in the portion`8 of theretaining member by suitable means such asv the inwardly extendingprojection 32 in the wall of the retaining member` and thecooperatingindexing recess 34 in the wall 28 of the cupl8.` I ,q

Within the cup l8 is located an imperforate flexible diaphragm 36. Thelower surface of theV diaphragm engages the upper surface of the base 39of the cup except in that portion thereof adjacent the atomizingaperture 30. In the latter area the diaphragm is spaced from the base ofthe cup by suitable means to form a liquid receiving chamber 40. Thechamber between the base of the cup and the lower`surface of thediaphragm communicates with the central opening 20 in the cup I8 whenthe diaphragm moves strip Y42.

to the raised position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that liquidmay be drawn from the container'through the tube 26 andv opening 26 tothe liquid receiving chamber 46. However when the diaphragm 36 isdepressed at the center, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, it serves toseal the opening 26 in the cup I8 vand prevents accidental lossorevaporation O f. liquid from the container.

`In that form of the invention illustrated, the center of the diaphragmis urged downward to its sealing position by resilient means which alsoare `provided with' a portion for holding the edge of the diaphragm,adjacent the atomi'zing aperture in the cup, in spaced relation to thebase of the cup to form the liquid receiving chamber 4.0. The meansprovided for this purpose are shown in Fig. 3 as a generally U -shapedstrip 42 formed of flexible metal. The strip is positioned about theedjge of the diaphragm 36, as shown in Fig. 1, with the shorter, lowerleg 44 thereof disposed beneath the diaphragm and in engagement with thebase 38 of the cup to form the liquid receiving chamber 46 extendingabout the sides and end of the strip. The base 46 of the strip extendsupward adjacent the edge of the diaphragm, and the longer upper legf48of the strip'extends inward adjacent the upper surface of the diaphragm.The portion 56 of the leg 48 which extends inward beyond the end `of thelower leg 44 is inclined downward and bears against the center of thediaphragm to urge it toward Vthe opening 2l] in the valve cup I 8,

The `outer face of the base 46 of the valve strip 42 is flat, and.as-shown in Fig. 2, the edges of the base engage the inner arcuatesurface of the wall portion 28 Yof the valve cup at 5I while the centralportion of the base is spaced from the inner surface of the cup. Thestructure thus provides a mixing chamber 52 adjacent the` atomizingaperture 36 to which' liquid may ilow from the liquid receiving chamber40 through the Vpassages 54 on opposite sides of the inturned lower leg44 of 1 the stri-p as shown in Fig. 4. Y Y A g The upper leg 48 of thevalve strip is formed with a slot 56 which extends from a point near thedownwardly inclined end 56 to a point adjacent the aperture in the wall28 of the cup I8. The slot 56 further extends through the downwardlyturned base 46 of the strip so that :it provides `apassage forconducting air to the mixing chamber 52 for atomizin'g the liquid whichflows to the mixing chamber through the passages 54 from the liquidreceiving chamber 4D.

A compressible device, such as a hemispherical 'rubber .bulb 58, islocated within the cup I8 above 'the diaphragm 36 and is substantiallyclosed by the diaphragm. The edge of the bulb is formed with a marginalbead 66 having a lower surface 62 which bears against the upper surfaceof the diaphragm and holds it in engagementwith the cup. A recess 64 isformed in the bulb surface 62 to provide a clearance for and to receivethe leg 48 of the valve strip 42, thus precluding the possibility of thematerial 0f the bulb bead 60 being crowded Vinto and obstructing theYslot 56 o f the Two nibs 3| are struck inwardly' of the wall 28 of the-cup I8, one on l'each opposite side of the atomi'zing aperture 38.These nibs are adapted to engage opposite edges of the base 46 of thestrip 42 for Vthe purposeof properly orienting the slot 56 therein inrelation to the atomizing aperture 30.v The Vbullo is held in placeyWithin the cup by the inturned upper edge 66 of the portion V8 oftheretaining member 'which extends inward over the bead 66 on the bulb. Theatomizing elements of the device are thus heldin place within the cupI8, whereas the head itself may be secured to the container 6 bysuitable means such as the inturned lower end 68 of the lower portion 4of the retaining member.

In order to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the `container whenliquid is drawn therefrom the 'device may be provided with any suitabletype of venting means. As illustrated the lower surface of the base 38of the cup I8 is formed with a groove 'I0 which extends from a pointnear the center of the cup to the periphery thereof adjacent theatomizing aperture 36. Thus air may pass from the discharge opening I0in the upper portion of the retaining member, through the space 'I2between the retaining member and cup I8 to the groove 16, and thence tothe interior of the container.

The elements of the device may be assembled very readily by firstdropping the washer I6 into the'upper portion 6 of theV retaining member2 and against the shoulder I4. Thereafter the cup 'I8 is placed on thewasher in the position determined by the projection 32 on the retainingmembers and indexing recess 34 in the 'wall of the cup. The valve strip42 is then slipped over the edge of the diaphragm 36 and placed in thecup H3 with the `slot 56 in the base 'of the valve 'strip adjacent theatomizing aperture 36 in the wall F258 of the cup. The bulb '58y is thenplaced within the cup with the recess 64 in Athe lower surface of thebead 6D fitting over the upper leg 46 of the valve strip and the partsare secured together and in place by turning the upper extremity 66 ofthe portion Y of the retaining member inward over the bead 66 on thebulb. The device itself is then applied or aiixed tothe container bymeans of the lower portion 4 of the retaining member. 1f 'threaded thedevice is simply screwed into placeV and if permanently attached theextremity 68 "of the lower portion may be turned inward about a 'beadvon the neck of the container,

asshown. n

'The operation 'of the Vdevice described is extremely simple. When thebulb 58 is depressed air is expelled `from the airspace 'I4 in the in-'teriorthereof` throughI the slot 56, mixing chamber 52 and atomi'zing'aperture 3U in the cup I8 and discharge opening YIl) in the portion 8of the retaining member. lOn release of the bulb 58 it expands due toits inherent resiliency 'and draws l'air in through the aperture 30 andslot 56. At

'the same time the reduced pressure in the bulb raises the diaphragm 36to 'the dotted line Vposition 'of Fig. 1, against th'e action of theflexible valve strip f42, and thereby causes the liquid to be drawnupward through tube 26 to the liquid receiving chamber V4I) between4 thediaphragm and the cup and about the end 'and sides of .the lower leg 44of 'the valve strip. When the bulb -58 reaches afully expanded positionit no longer tends to. raise the diaphragm 3.6 and as a result the end56 of the upper leg 48 depresses the center of the diaphragmy and holdsit in sealing engagement with the opening Ilv 'in the cu-p I8.

Thereafter whenthe bulb58 is depressed again it not only forces air fromthe air space 'I4 Within the bulb through the slot 56 in thevalve .stripto the mixing chamber 52, but also depresses the portion of thediaphragm 36 which forms the upper wall of the liquid-receiving chamber.In this way, the diaphragm is forced. in-to engagement with the base 38.of the cup I8 to seal the opening 42l) vtlfi'erein and at4 the same timeliquid is forced from the chamber 46 to the mixing chamber 2 throughthepassages `v511'- on opposite sides o f the leg Mof the valve strip.The air 'and liquid are projected into the mixing chamber in differentdirections so that thorough agitation Vand diffusion thereof is `assuredand theyv are ejected from the mixing chamberthrough the aperture 3a andopening Ill in the form of a ne mist.

`While the diaphragm 36 may be formed .of any suitable flexiblematerial, it' has been found in practice that the best results areobtained when the diaphragm is formed of rubber. This is probably due tothe inherent resiliency and elasticity of the rubber which opposes theaction of the resilient Valve strip or other means bearing against thecenter of the diaphragm. The diaphragm thereforetends to raise to thedotted line position of Fig. 1 immediately upon release of the bulb 58and upon reduction in pressure on the upper surface of the diaphragm.For this reason theldvice is very sensitive in operation. A rubberdiaphragm also opposes any tendency thereof to `collapse about the sidesof the `leg 44 of the valve strip to close the passages 5 when liquid isbeing drawn into the chamber 40. j

It will also be apparentthat lthe' means which space the `diaphragm'fromthecup to form the liquid receiving chamber 40 and Vthe resilient meanswhich bear againstl the upper surface of the diaphragm may be formed' asseparate and independent elements However, it is vof advantage to formthemas a unit since they` are then assembled morev readily and are, heldin cooperative relation without any supplemental means. Moreover theconstruction illustrated serves `to provide the desired air and-liquidpassages without the addition of further elements and withoutcomplicating the construction or assembly operations.

Numerous Vother changes and'modification in the form, construction andarrangement-of parts may be made within the spirit and scopeof .thepresent inventionand therefore it should be understood that the specificembodiment thereof shown in the drawing and herein described is intendedto be illustrative of ourinvention and is not intended to limit thescope of the followingr claims. n

1. An atomizer head adapted tofbe applied to a container, comprising amember :having an opening therein communicating with'Hthe container, aflexible diaphragm extending oversaid opening andA having atleast aportion of one face thereof spaced from said member and cooperatingtherewith to form a liquid receiving chamber, compressible means having;an air space therein communicating with the opposite face of `saiddiaphragm whereby changes in pressure of air in said air space serves tomove the diaphragm into and out of. position to` close said opening,means forming a mixing chamber with an atomizing aperture thereinthrough'which liquid and air may be projected, and means extending fromthe air space to the liquid receivingchamber about the edge of thediaphragm Vand defining passages extending from said liquid receivingchamber vand said air space'to said mixing chamber for conducting liquidand air thereto,

2. An atomize'r head adapted to be applied'to a container, comprising amember having an opening therein communicatingpwith the container, a.flexible `diaphragm extending over said opening and having at least aportion of'one face thereof spaced from said lmember and lcooperating`therewith to frma 'liquid 'receiving -chainber, resilient meansv urgingsaid diaphragm toward said member 'andiinto sealing` engagement with`the opening. therein, compressible means having an air space thereincommunicating` with the opposite face of said diaphragm and operable tomove the same away from said openingagainst the action 4of saidresilient means and upon reduction in pressure of the air within saidcompressible means, means forming a mixing chamber with an atomizingaperture therein through which liquid and air may be projected, andmeans forming passagesv extending from said liquid receiving chamber andsaid .compressible means tosaid'mixing chamber for conducting liquid andair thereto. f 1

3. An atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising acup havinga base and a side wall, aexible diaphragm locatedin thecupadjacent the base thereoi,-said cup having an opening inthe basecommunicating with the container for conducting. liquid from the`container to the cupand having an atomizingapertureyin the side wallthereof, means holding va portion ofthe diaphragm adjacent the,atomizing aperture" in spaced relation vto ithe` base of the 'thecontainer and alsoformed with anatomizing aperturein the side wallthereof, Ya fiexible diaphragmj located in the cup'adjacentthe basethereof in position to `cover said opening, means holding ia portionoff-.the diaphragm which is located adjacent the atomizingaperture inspaced relation to the base -of= the cuptoV form a liquid receivingchamber which communicates with both :said :opening A .and saidaperture, compressible means extendingv over-the diaphragm and hav- `ingani-airspace therein communicating with said diaphragm to. move the same`into and out of sealingengagementwith the opening in the cup koncompression and expansion of the air in said air space, and means .forconductingY air from said/air space and liquid from the liquidreceivingchamber to the atomigzing aperture to project the `same throughthe aperture'in the form of a mist. l, 1"@1 f y `5. atomizing-headadapted to be applied to a container,` 'comprising a cup formed withanopening through' the basethereofcommunicating with the container andalso formed with an atomizing aperture in theside wall thereof, afiexible diaphragm located'in thelcup adjacent the base Vthereofposition to cover said opening, means holding a portion of the diaphragmwhich isV locatedadjacentthe atomizing aperture in'spaced relation tothe base of the cup to form a liquid receiving Vchamber,resilient meansurging the diaphragmA into engagementwwith the base of the cupto sealthe` openingtherein, compressible `means extending'over the diaphragmand having an" air space therein communicating Awith the diaphragm 'to'move the same out of sealing Ven- Agagement*with" the j opening iin thecup against 4the action ofsaid*resilient means upon expansi-'on Vof the,air in Vsaid fair space, and means. for conducting air from vsaid .airspace and liquid from the liquid receiving chamber to the atomizingaperture to project. the same through the aperture in the 'form of amist.

6. An atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container, comprising aV'cup formed with an opening in the base thereof communicating with thecontainer and :also formed with an atomizing aperture in the side Wallthereof, a exible diaphragm located in the cup adjacent the base thereofin position to cover said opening, means holding a portion o'f saiddiaphragm `which is located adjacent said aperture .in spaced relationto the base of said cup to form a liquid receiving chamber whichcommunicates with the container through said opening and Valso`communicates with said atomizing aperture, a resilient metal stripengaging the upper `surface of Ysaid diaphragm and bearing against theportion of said diaphragm which A overlies said opening to urge `thediaphragm toward the. opening, said .strip rhaving a portion thereoflocated adjacent the. atomizing aperture and formed with an openingtherein for conducting air to said aperture, a flexible bulb,

and means defining a channel for conducting liq-v uid from lthe liquidreceiving :chamber to said CII aperture.

"7. An atomizing head adapted `to be applied to a container, comprisinga cup formed with .an opening in the base thereof communicating with thecontainer and also formed vWith an atomizing aperture in the side wallthereof, yafiexible dia-1 phragm located in the cup adjacent the basethereof in position to cover said opening, a

U-shaped strip formed of resilient metal extend- Vfrom the cup to form achannel for the flowof liquid from said liquid receiving cham-berto saidatomizing aperture, 'the longer upper-'leg `of said strip extendinginward from the edge of the diaphragm and into engagement with the'upper `surface thereof at a point which overlies the opening in thebase of said Ycup to urge the diaphragm toward said opening, the base ofthe U-shaped strip being located 'adjacent the edge of, the diaphragmand adjacent the 'atomizing aperture in the side Wall of the cup, and 'acompressible bulb extending over the diaphragm and `upper leg of thestrip and .formed with an air space therein, said strip being formedwith an .opening therein for conducting air from the air 'space in thebulb to the atomi'ain'g aperture for projecting air and liquid from theaperture when the bulb is depressed.

8. In an atomizer head adapted to be appliedto a container and embodyingan element having an atomizing aperture therein, compressible .meansdefining an air space and means defining a liquid receiving chamber withan opening therein fcom Amunicatng with the container, the combinationof a. yiiexible diaphragm .separating-l the `air space from the liquidreceiving chamber and movable into and 'out of position to'closesaidopening in response to change in pressure of the 4air in saidairspace on movement of said compressible means to control the ilow ofliquid to and from the liquid receiving vchamber through said opening,means normally urging said diaphragm into position to prevent thepassage of liquid from the container to lsaid liquid receiving chamberand channel form-ing elements located 'on opposite sides of saiddiaphragm extending to points adjacent said atomizing aperture to directairand liquid to said aperture on compression of said compressiblemeans.

9. In an atomizer head adapted to be applied to a containerand embodyingan element having an atomizing aperture therein, compressible meansdefining an air space and means dening a liquid receiving chamber withan opening therein communicating with the container, the combination ofa iiexible rubber diaphragm separating the air space from the liquidreceiving chamber and positioned so that it inherently tends to uncoversaid opening, resilient means bearing against said diaphragm to urge itinto sealing engagement with said opening, whereby a change in thepressure of air in said air space will actuate the diaphragm and controlthe iiow of liquid from the container to the liquid receiving chamberand channel forming elements located on opposite sides of said diaphragmextending' to points adjacent said atom- -izing aperture to direct airand liquid to said .aperture 'on compression of' said compressiblemeans.

10. In an atomizing head having an aperture therein through which airand liquid are discharged, and embodying compressible means defining anair space Within which air pressure may be varied by compression thereofand means forming a liquid receiving chamber, the combination of adiaphragm separating the air space from the liquid receiving chamber,and a unitary ele- Ament extending over the edge of said diaphragm intoengagement with the opposite faces thereof,

' said element cooperating with said diaphragm to form channels leadingfrom the air space and liquid receiving chamber to the atomizingaperture in the head for the discharge of air and liquid from said head.

11. .In an atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container andembodying a member having anaperture therein through which air andliquid are discharged, compressible means defining an air space, andmeans defining a liquid receiving chamber having an opening thereincommunicating with the container, the combination of a iiexible rubberdiaphragm separating the air space from the liquid receiving chamber andpositioned so that it inherently tends to uncover said opening, but isresponsive to change in air pressure within anV air space defined bysaid compressible means, resilient means bearing against said diaphragmto urge it into sealing engagement with said opening, whereby a changein pressure of the air vin said air space will actuate the diaphragm andcontrol the ow of liquid from the container to the liquid receivingchamber, said resilient means cooperating with said diaphragm to formchannels `extending from the air space and liquid receiving chamber tothe atomizing aperture in said member. Y

y .1.2. .An atomizing head adapted to be applied to ay container,comprising a cup having a base and aside wall, a exible diaphragmiocatedin the cup-adjacent the base thereof,said cup having an :ehemaligevopening in the base communicating with the container for conductingliquid from the container to the cup and having an atomizing aperture inthe side wall thereof, means located within said cup adjacent theatomizing aperture and beneath said diaphragm for holding a portion ofthe diaphragm adjacent the atomizing aperture in spaced relation to thebase of the cup to form a liquid receiving chamber which communicateswith both said opening and said aperture, and compressible meansextending over the diaphragm and having an air space thereincommunicating with the atomizing aperture, whereby compression of saidcompressible means will force the central portion of said diaphragm intosealing engagement with the opening in the cup and also will forceliquid from said chamber and air from said air space through theatomizing aperture.

13. An atomizing head adapted to be applied to a container. comprising acup formed with an opening through the base thereof communicating withthe container and also formed with an atomizing aperture in the sidewall thereof, a exible thereof in position tocover said opening, means idiaphragm located in the cup adjacent the base located within said cupadjacent said atomizing aperture and beneath saidA diaphragm for holdinga portion of Athe diaphragm which is located adjacent the atomizingaperture in spaced relation to the base of the cup to form a liquidreceiving chamber, resilient means urging the central portion of thediaphragm into engagement with the base of the cup to seal the openingtherein, compressible means extending over the diaphragm and having anair space therein communicating with the diaphragm to move the same outof sealing engagement with the opening in the cup against theaction ofsaid resilient means upon expansion of the air in said air space, andmeans for conducting air from said air space and liquid from the liquidreceiving chamber to the atomizing aperture to project the same throughthe aperture in the form of a mist.

FRANCIS OL. KILLORIN. DONALD L. SPENDER.

